
R Praggnanandhaa battled fatigue and nerves to overcome D Gukesh and secure the Tata Steel Chess Masters title.
‘Still Shaking’: Praggnanandhaa Reflects on His Hard-Fought Victory
Rameshbabu Praggnanandhaa described his emotions as overwhelming after a dramatic final day at the Tata Steel Masters, where he claimed his first title by defeating world champion Gukesh Dommaraju.
The 19-year-old chess prodigy from Chennai staged a remarkable comeback to defeat the 18-year-old world number three with a 2-1 victory in the tiebreaker of the tournament’s 87th edition on Sunday.
“I’m still shaking; it was such a crazy day. I can’t even put it into words. I didn’t really expect to win, but somehow, things worked out in my favor,” Praggnanandhaa said in an interview with the official tournament website.
When asked if this was the most stressful day of his chess career—a journey that began when he was just two years old—he responded:
“Today feels extra special because I won the tournament. Definitely the most stressful day.”
A Tactical Battle: Praggnanandhaa’s Winning Strategy
Facing a must-win situation in the second game of the tiebreaker, Praggnanandhaa opted for the Trompowsky Opening. Gukesh, playing with the black pieces, managed to gain a slight advantage at one point.
“I was just trying to stay calm and get some rest. It was a tough game. Against Vincent (Keymer), I wasn’t playing at my best, but here, things were different. I think I owe Arjun (Erigaisi) something—I really thought Gukesh had the upper hand at one point,” he joked.
Reflecting on his journey, he added:
“This is definitely a career highlight. When I arrived here, I wanted to win, but the competition was intense. I didn’t seriously think about my chances until yesterday.”
“Right now, I’m completely exhausted. I just need some rest.”
From Deadlock to Victory: How Praggnanandhaa Seized the Moment
Both players finished the 13-round event tied at 8.5 points after losing their final games—Gukesh to Arjun Erigaisi and Praggnanandhaa to Germany’s Vincent Keymer—forcing a tiebreaker.
In the blitz tiebreaker, Praggnanandhaa maintained a solid position, patiently waiting for an unforced error from Gukesh. Once he captured a pawn, his technical expertise helped him push the match to a 1-1 tie.
The contest then moved into a sudden-death decider. Praggnanandhaa, playing white, faced early pressure as Gukesh gained a material advantage on the queenside and secured a pawn.
The sudden-death format allotted white two minutes and thirty seconds, while black had three minutes. Despite playing an inferior endgame, Praggnanandhaa remained composed.
Just as the game seemed headed for another draw, Gukesh faltered in the high-pressure battle, losing first a pawn and then his last knight. Praggnanandhaa capitalized on the opportunity, showcasing flawless technique to secure the win—his first-ever Tata Steel Masters title.
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